(Newser)
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Rapid treatment is of utmost importance for babies diagnosed with infantile spasms, also known as West syndrome, a form of epilepsy that causes seizures and corresponding abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. About half of the babies with it don't respond to the first drug that's tried, meaning doctors then use an injectable drug called Synacthen Depot, which one doctor says works 90% of the time. But Synacthen Depot is the latest drug to cause an uproar after a massive price hike, at least in Canada, CBC reports. "The price of Synacthen Depot increased by more than 2,000% from $33.05 per vial to $680 per vial," says a spokesperson for Alberta Health, which delisted the drug in July.

That means it won't be automatically paid for by Canada's government-subsidized health care anymore, TheStreet explains, though exceptions could be made on a case-by-case basis. And as for the price, Fusion explains that the drug requires a six-week course, for a total cost of $14,280. Officials in other Canadian provinces saw a similar hike in the cost of the drug. "This was just dropped like a bombshell," says a Toronto neurologist who is incensed by the price increase. Pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt owns the rights to the drug in Canada after acquiring another company last year, and a rep says the drug was losing money when the company acquired it. "They just bought it and jacked up the price," says the neurologist. (When Canada tried to lower the price of another drug, it got sued by a US company.)

BIG PHARMA.... Has it's hand up Washington's skirt, just like puppets they are.

Drogan

Nov 17, 2015 11:07 AM CST

It doesn't matter who lives or dies, as long as there is a profit. The love of money will kill us all.

Bundy714

Nov 17, 2015 10:06 AM CST

You poors need to just learn to bend over and take it like a man. Yachts and private jets aren't cheap. About the only thing you do that the rich approve of, is continuing to vote Republican. You've been trained well....and your brainwashing is coming home to roost. You know how the greedy rich CEO's that are jacking up the prices vote. It sure isn't for some liberal that might want to reign them in with some regulations, or some of that scary government oversight that you guys hate so much. This is what you get with no government oversight, just the "Free Market" (which is really code for a rigged market, one that's rigged in their favor)........Free to fleece you as much as they damn well want. Enjoy! In your face, Elizabeth Warren, you progressive pansy. Ayn Rand says it best ..... Greed is good. We don't want no nanny state trying to protect us. Being constantly screwed over, builds character. Continue voting for the rich....who knows, you may be rich too one day. LMAO And remember, with your help, we can end all entitlements, do away with captial gains taxes, and estate taxes on people making more than 5 million....you know how much that effects you GOP voters. Also, we can do away with minimum wage, and anything else you can think of that might benefit the poor. They deserve to just die and go away.....vote GOP, and we can make it happen! We've already done away with pensions and unions that helped the average worker, but there is so much more we need to do if we want to rid the world of them. You better believe there is a class war going on, and the 1% is winning with your help. Thank you for being so damn gullible.....waves tiny American Flag. (this message brought to you by your friends, the Koch Brothers)